Building International Collaborations in Health Sciences
Building relationships between education and community-based institutions here in Canada and internationally is the key to economic development and supporting community growth.
On Monday June 30, an exciting new agreement of cooperation was finalized between the University of British Columbia and Baba Farid University of Health Sciences (BFUHS). The agreement builds upon the already successful nursing collaboration between both institutions facilitated by Barj Dhahan and the Canada India Education Society.
After a year of conversations, a statement of cooperation was signed between UBC’s Faculty of Medicine’s School of Population and Public Health (SPPH) and BFUHS. The statement was signed by Gavin C. E. Stuart, MC, FRCSC, Dean, Faculty of Medicine and Vice Provost, Health, UBC; Dr. Shivinder S. Gill, Vice-Chancellor, BFUHS; and David Patrick, MC, Director School of Population & Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, UBC
“This is an important first step between the institutions to promote the field of Occupational and Environmental Health,” says Barj Dhahan. “This collaboration has a huge potential for improving public health especially in Punjab and Northern India.
Back row: Barj Dhahan, Ms. Charanjit Kaur (BFUHS, Nursing, Goindwal College), Mr. HCL Rawat (BFUHS, Nursing, Vice_Principal, Faridkot Colllege). Front row: Dr. Hugh Davies (Associate Professor, SPPH) and Dr. Rajeev Manjahs (BFHUS, International Coordinator; Head, Life Sciences, Library and Information Services).
The institutions will seek to collaborate in scholarly exchange and research collaboration among faculty, student exchange, and sharing curricular information and teaching methods.
Barj Dhahan serves as a voluntary advisor to Baba Farid University of Health Sciences and to Vice Chancellor Dr. Gill, and has worked on building successful international collaborations with Canadian universities and researchers.
“Over the past few years, Dr. Hugh Davies and I have been in discussions regarding collaborating with Baba Farid University of Health Sciences with a focus on environmental and occupational health,” says Barj Dhahan. “BFUHS hopes that this collaboration will bring knowledge and resources towards the development of its own environmental and occupational health study programs.”
Back row: Daniella Weber (International Manager, Dean’s Office, International Affairs), Prof. Karen Bartlett (SPPH, MSc. Program Director), Barj Dhahan, Ms. Charanjit Kaur (BFUHS, Nursing, Goindwal College), Mr. HCL Rawat (BFUHS, Nursing, Vice_Principal, Faridkot Colllege). Front row: Dr. Hugh Davies (Associate Professor, SPPH) and Dr. Rajeev Manjahs (BFHUS, International Coordinator; Head, Life Sciences, Library and Information Services).
IC-IMPACTS “Water for Health” Initiative in India
Just announced today is the joint “Water for Health” initiative between India’s Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and IC-IMPACTS Centres of Excellence, Canada. This is a project I have been involved with creating over the last year that supports collaborative research projects focused on developing and evaluating new technologies in the research areas of water and health.
DBT and IC-IMPACTS will each commit $1.5 million (Canadian dollars / equivalent Indian Rupees) to help strengthen innovative collaborations between researchers working in India and Canada, and to help stimulate practical research outcomes applied in communities of both nations.
Further details on this project are available on IC-Impacts.
Thank you to Sue Roppel for these kind words:
“It builds upon the great work of the “Water for Health workshop” with Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, the success for which we are deeply indebted to Barj and so we take this opportunity to sincerely thank him as well for the success achieved today.”
Image from http://ic-impacts.com/?p=1899
Welcoming Reception for Dr. Arvind Gupta
Community welcomes new UBC President Dr. Arvind Gupta
The incoming President of the University of British Columbia, Dr. Arvind Gupta, was welcomed at an intimate reception hosted by Barj S. Dhahan on Thursday, April 17.
The reception introduced the university’s new president to key business and community leaders who gathered at Seasons Restaurant in Queen Elizabeth Park. Barj S. Dhahan, a well-established local entrepreneur and UBC Alumni, has led a partnership between Canada India Education Society and UBC Nursing to support nursing programs in Punjab.
Dr. Arvind Gupta was named the 13th president and vice chancellor of the University of British Columbia earlier this year and will become president on July 1 for a five-year term, while retaining his position at UBC as professor of computer science.
Arpen Thandi, a UBC alumni who has used her Liberal Arts degree to become a Senior Account Executive at Edelman (the world’s largest public relations firm) stated “we as alumni are committed to working with the University of British Columbia to continue to advance our education system, be involved in the community and provide future generations with opportunity, especially that of innovation and experience in the global marketplaces in developing countries such as India, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan.” This statement embodied the essence of the evening.
The feedback from those who attended was uplifting and supportive of the evening of building community.
Jeanette Lee, Dr. Michelle Periera, Dr. Arvind Gupta, Barj Dhahan
“Thank-you again so much for inviting me to this special evening – I was most inspired by many of the stories (liked those thoughts of your fathers and others) and also by the global thinking towards collaborative innovation projects. I think that Dr. Arvind Gupta is also the right choice and am looking forward to see what changes he is able to facilitate and accomplish….You are quite the powerhouse….I am quite honored to be in your company!” – Jeanette Lee
Barj Dhahan, Zeala Cortes, Dr. Arvind Gupta and His Excellency Shuja Alam, Consul General of Pakistan
Arran Stephens, Barj Dhahan, Dr. Arvind Gupta, Ratana Stephens, Todd Shuffle
“Thanks so much, Barj. You put on a great show! And, made the community proud.” – Arran and Ratana Stephens
Isa Solacito, Dr. Michelle Periera, Dr. Arvind Gupta and Jojo Solacito
“First of all, Thank You very much for having us at the reception for Dr. Arvind Gupta. It was truly a very inspirational evening, and we admire you for your commitment to higher education for young people not only in BC but many other parts of the world. We are also grateful for the various community work and support you and your many business partners bring to the city and the province. Again, thank you for giving us an opportunity to meet to Dr. Gupta.” – Jojo and Isa Solacito
Dr. Sally Thorne, Barj Dhahan, Rita Dhahan, Dr. Michelle Periera and Dr. Arvind Gupta
“And what a delightful event it was. I hope that everyone felt it was a valuable time of connection as Dr. Gupta embarks on this incredible new adventure. He has stepped up to a major responsibility that will affect the lives of so many, and I am sure that knowing he has a community around him will be a real strength of his presidency. I am very much looking forward to working with him over the coming years. And it was an absolute delight to catch up on so many of your amazing family members. Incredible people all of them.” – Dr. Sally Thorne